ENUGU, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- Former Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo has called on President Bola Tinubu to prioritize the welfare of Nigerians amid the country’s economic struggles.
Speaking at the 2024 Women in Management, Business, and Public Service (WIMBIZ) conference, Osinbajo highlighted the urgent need for social welfare initiatives, noting that Nigerians face rising costs in essentials like food, transportation, and housing.
“The cost of living is overwhelming Nigerians’ hope for survival,” Osinbajo said, emphasizing the widespread food insecurity that disproportionately affects children.
“He called for stronger support systems to ensure that basic needs are met, particularly through accessible healthcare and social welfare programmes.
Osinbajo also addressed the nation’s literacy challenges, with a focus on northern Nigeria, where more than 67 per cent of women are illiterate.
He warned, “A country where half the population is socially and economically disempowered due to illiteracy will find development difficult, if not impossible.”
He urged large-scale social interventions to address systemic issues like literacy and economic empowerment.
Reflecting on the conference’s theme, “Dream, Dare, Do,” Osinbajo praised WIMBIZ for embodying resilience and inspiring impactful change.
“It’s not just about having dreams or starting enterprises—it’s about resilience and the courage to persevere through challenges,” he said.
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He also acknowledged the pressures faced by Nigerian entrepreneurs, who often feel compelled to maintain an appearance of success that may not align with their businesses’ realities. “There is immense pressure on Nigerian business owners to sustain an appearance of success that their businesses cannot always support,” he added.
WIMBIZ Executive Director Omowunmi Akingbohungbe also spoke at the event, discussing the unique challenges women face in leadership, including stereotypes and self-doubt.
She explained that the conference theme was intended to inspire both women and men to pursue their goals confidently.
“WIMBIZ is working to change the narrative on national impact by advocating for policies that include women in decision-making roles,” Akingbohungbe said.
She reiterated WIMBIZ’s goal of achieving at least 35 per cent female representation in leadership, arguing that such representation would strengthen governance by bringing together the unique strengths of both genders.
Akingbohungbe compared Nigeria’s 6% female representation in parliament with countries like Rwanda, Senegal, and South Africa, where women hold over 45 per cent of legislative seats.
“This isn’t about pitting one gender against the other—it’s about recognizing the value that both bring to leadership,” she asserted.
The WIMBIZ conference underscored the critical need for inclusive policies, robust social welfare, and economic empowerment as essential pillars for Nigeria’s progress.